Chapter 174

**Acacia Point of View**

"One can never judge a book by its cover." I heard a steady flow of sarcasm from Jerk's words.

I would've retorted him back or glared at him for looking at my cousins as if he is touring zoo and speaking like that if not for my own feelings resemble his.

This particular set of my cousins are too... strange.

And no matter how awkward I feel to accept, it is the truth.

"Who are those words referred to?" I whispered back, making sure no one was near us.

"Is there a need to single out one" He scoffed, rubbing his forehead, surely with increasing ache.

I smiled slightly and covered the rest of my energetic smile by pinching myself to be calm and steady.

"That's my cousins for you. Nonetheless, they are actually warm and affectionate."

"Ah, I can clearly see that of course." And there goes another session of mocking. But I'm offended; in fact, I chuckled lightly when I heard bitterness in his tone.

"Uncle Oliver was military commandant and his sons; Luther is Assistant chief of police, Troy and Andriel are serving in military. They assume a man according to their physical capabilities." I explained, trying all my will to conceal my smile.

I still cannot come out of the hilarious scene that happened just fifteen minutes ago. It was so funny that I felt stomachache from laughing quietly so much.

Jerk arched his head to the side with one of his brows touching the hairline, "You should've said that first. It feels good to know that reason behind being fondled by a few men for straight half an hour and almost stripped naked to prove that every muscle in my body is well maintained."

That made me recall the whole incident of how my three older cousins and Uncle touched Jerk to check his abs and strength. The look on Jerk's face was worth seeing.

Not only was it funny but it also some weird sort of satisfaction to me too.

If it was someone else or someone from his command of people, he would've beheaded them but now that they are part of my family and they are not really bad people, he could neither swallow it not puke it.

Watching him like that at that time was the best moment ever.

"Oh come on, they are from military background so their behavior is somewhat natural. You still had a good chat with Aunt Luna's kids' right? The twin cousins are polite to you." Aunt Luna has a set of twins, one boy and one girl, both my age with them being only one month younger to me.

"Don't even mention that. It was polite but too inappropriate and totally awkward." When I heard him grinding his teeth, I pouted.

How was it inappropriate?

"No it's not." I refuted strongly.

"That boy Aidan spoke about nothing but condoms and that girl Nadia is worse, she always talked about sanitary pads that women use. Who would talk to their cousin-in-law about those weird topics."

"Actually, the twins have a company of their own where Aidan is responsible for condoms business and Nadia is responsible for sanitary napkins. So they find excitement when they are talking about their own business and achievements. It's not bad for you to know a little about sanitary pads. You can at least buy me some in future when I need them." People, especially men, nowadays are not too particularly red when talking about pads.

In fact, I've seen a lot of brothers, boyfriends, husbands or even male friends help their respective women get the necessities when needed.

What's there to be so uncomfortable about?

"You don't mean it, do you?" He gasped softly and in reply, I only wiggled one of my brows.

"What about Uncle Levi's daughter then?"

"What about her?" I frowned. Why is he being displeased with a kid?

"She wants to test me."

"Okay..."

"Eblilis, she wants to conduct a surprise test for me." That's when I understood the implication in his words.

I burst out in laughter and couldn't help roll on the floor a few times because it was so damn funny.

While Uncle Levi's daughter, Ivy is not any different from an ordinary person, she is kind of special in her own way. Also, since she is the youngest of us all, we usually don't mind her sudden twists and turns of her attitude.

"Oh, I'm waiting for it, then." I said in the middle of laughs.

Jerk's face switched from happy smile to frown to happy smile to frown over and over before it settled on a scowl.

"Will she really conduct a surprise test on Physics and Mathematics for me?" I heard worry when he spoke.

Ivy is in first year high school and can be called a genius in Physics and Mathematics. She is too studious and is crazy about those two subjects.

Her way of understanding a person is through math and science. If the other person knows what she asks, then they are passable, or else...

Uncle Levi has always been worried about this girl because of her strange sense of judgment when it comes to people.

Still, despite of everything, I really want to see the question paper she provides for Jerk and his answer sheet.

If he was able to pass in the test then it is alright but what if Jerk fails miserably?

It would be a feast to eyes to watch my younger cousin give coaching classes on Physics and math to my husband just to make him worthy of me.

"Other things I don't know but when it comes to a test on those two subjects, she does to every new person added to the family. I have to give my best wishes and hope you pass with flying colors." I patted his shoulder and didn't dare to stay with him anymore for risk of laughing terribly until tears.

I walked back to the batch of relatives who are sitting in the living room and chatting happily with each other.

"Cia, I missed you so much!" Nadia walked over and hugged me tightly.

"Of course you did. And I missed you all as well." I hugged her back.

"I have to say, your husband is smothering hot." She whispered.

"He is alright." I said casually and chuckled. "How about we go out shopping tomorrow? I miss wandering on streets with you all."

Nadia nodded and when she proposed the same to my other cousins and cousin-in-laws, they agreed happily too.

I spend a little time answering all their questions about my life these past few years and only when it is dinner time did I quickly made a few simple dishes for Igses and put him to sleep.

He has school tomorrow so staying awake for long is not good. After he had his dinner, I, along with mom and aunts made dinner for everyone.

The Winters residence is big enough to accommodate everyone of my relatives and also because I will be living with Jerk and Igses in Jerk's mansion, It's enough space for everyone.

Grandaunt's family are yet to come, so when they did, some of them can go to the house I lived with Igses to stay there for the time of their vacation.

Dad and mom always liked for close family members to live in the house with us when they are visiting. Only when there is no enough space to accommodate everyone do they have them go to hotel.

It was quite late by the time I returned to Ebernus mansion, to our bedroom. But when I drowsily plopped on the bed, I realized that Jerk isn't here. I lazily pulled my body up and walked to his study to see if he is there.

And right I was. He is in his study, currently reading physics and math books. I pressed my lips tightly, and swallowed my grin back.

There on the large study table are two towering heaps of books on either corner. One was physics and one was math, both, the collection from primary school to post graduation.

Behind the table, Jerk has his spectacles on, reading four books simultaneous in a hurry.

"When is the test, by the way?" I asked as I looked at the books he was reading.

"Day after tomorrow, in the noon." He did not even lift his head to answer because he is too engrossed in studying.

A part of me was happy that he is making an effort to gain my cousin's approval no matter how difficult the method is.

I nodded and wanted to leave him to his means and go to sleep but a kind of sadistic bulb went off in my head.

I trailed my hand over his shoulder as it went over to his collar and slowly slipped inside his shirt. "Are you not coming to bed?" I whispered close to his ear, making sure my hot breath slowly hit his skin.

I bit his ear and kissed his cheek, waiting for his reaction.

His whole body went still and I clearly heard him taking deep breath. "Eblilis -" He groaned, the grip of his hand on the pen tightened.

"Hmm, the bed would be so cold without you. Come and warm the bed for me." I tempted him, knowing too well that he will not be able to satisfy this wish of mine.

He is too stubborn and wants to prove his knowledge to my younger cousin; which makes this even more fun to me.

From behind, I hugged him and kissed his chin and nuzzled into his neck. "You are naughty for doing this, love." He groaned and pulled me into his lap.

But before he could do anything, I pecked his lips and got out of his arms, putting some distance between us.

"In that case, you carry on with your work. I will go to sleep on the cold bed."

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

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